Marlon Craft, a New York native, honed his heady, lyrically-driven rap style over years, blending golden-age East Coast hip-hop with jazz-infused live instrumentation. His politically charged lyrics and social commentary shine through on his studio albums, Funhouse Mirror (2019) and How We Intended (2021).
Growing up in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen, Marlon Craft, the son of a jazz musician, immersed himself in hip-hop culture while playing basketball in his teens. After self-releasing his mixtape Pieces in 2015, he continued to refine his sound with EPs and singles before signing with Sony affiliate Same Plate Entertainment for the release of his critically acclaimed debut, Funhouse Mirror. Craft's sophomore album, How We Intended, released in 2021, further solidified his reputation as a skilled wordsmith tackling issues of racism, classism, and wealth disparity.
